Month: October 2021

Electricity workers begin struggle to protect Yugadanavi

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“We’ll drub the government” – Electricity workers begin struggle to protect Yugadanavi A series of protests organized by the CEB Joint Trade Union Alliance against the sale of 40% shares in Kerawalapitiya Yugadanavi Power Plant, the gas import and distribution monopoly to the United States was held today (29) in front of the CEB Deputy General Manager’s Offices.The protests were held today in front of the Ceylon Electricity Board branch offices in 19 districts and it is said that all the trade unions representing the CEB were present at the…

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GL meets UK Foreign Secretary

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GL meets UK Foreign Secretary details SL progress in terms of COVID management, revival of economy reconciliation  Elizabeth Truss says UK is developing broader investment portfolio which Sri Lanka could be part of Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris who is on an official tour to England this week met the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Af fairs Elizabeth Truss at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Minister Prof. Peiris informed Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss that having fully vaccinated about 82% of the eligible population, life was…

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Sri Lanka downgraded by MOODY’s and the Government call it ill-timed

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Sri Lanka sovereign rating downgraded to Caa2 by Moody’s   Thursday October 28, 2021 4:04 pm   ECONOMYNEXT – Moody’s Investors Service has downgraded Sri Lanka’s sovereign rating to Caa2 from Caa1, taking the country’s credit deeper into speculative grade as foreign reserves continued to fall amid money printing and crippled forex markets. “A large financing envelope that Moody’s considers to be secure remains elusive and the sovereign continues to rely on piecemeal funding such as swap lines and bilateral loans, although prospects for non-debt generating inflows have improved somewhat…

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CEB Union Protest- Changes can be made to the Deal- Basil

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CEB unions to protest islandwide today Warn of TU action from 3 Nov. unless sale suspended BY Pamodi Waravita The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) United Trade Union (TU) Alliance will be engaging in an islandwide protest today (29), urging the Government of Sri Lanka to immediately suspend the sale of 40% of the shares held by the Government in the Yugadanavi liquefied natural gas (LNG) Power Plant to US-based energy company New Fortress Energy Inc.  “We will be launching an islandwide protest at 12 noon tomorrow (29) where we will…

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From farmers’ agitation to commercial dispute with China

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From farmers’ agitation to commercial dispute with China ( By Kelum Bandara – Daily Mirror) The government decided, all of a sudden, to implement organic farming in place of chemical agriculture which Sri Lankan farmers are accustomed to for nearly 60 years. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is pledge-bound to introduce eco-friendly agriculture in steps over a decade according to his manifesto ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’.  Despite the policy envisaged in the manifesto, the government took a hasty move to ban chemical farming ahead of four months for the Maha season…

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Appointment of militant monk raises human rights concerns

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Appointment of militant monk to head task force on uniform laws raises human rights concerns By P.K.Balachandran (NewsIn Asia)  Colombo October 27:  The Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Wednesday appointed a Presidential Task Force (PTF) to study the implementation of the “One Country, One Law” concept and prepare a draft Act to bring about one law for all Sri Lankans, irrespective of religion or ethnicity. The move to get everybody to obey the same laws is laudable. The concept “One Country, One Law” is a hallmark of modern democracies.…

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Jaffna People’s Forum condemns caste-based violence in the North 

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Jaffna People’s Forum condemns caste-based violence in the North  The Jaffna People’s Forum for Coexistence strongly condemns the casteist violence unleashed on the oppressed community in Arasady, Vaddukoddai in Jaffna on September 19, 2021 by a group of dominant-caste youth and men. Many members of this community were injured during this violence. One person’s finger was slashed off. Houses, properties, work equipment and workshops belonging to the members of this community were vandalized.  Caste-based violence has a long history in Vaddukoddai and its neighbouring villages such as Ponnalai, Thunaivi, Koddaikaadu…

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Daily Mirror Interview with GTF Suren Surendran – 27th Oct 2021 –

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Daily Mirror Interview with GTF Suren Surendran – 27th Oct 2021. UK based group stands for negotiated solution  Progressive signs emerging from government  Global Tamil Forum is not against Sinhalese community   India can do more on the Tamil issue  GTF prepared to have talks with China  Ban on Diaspora groups not justified   A recent speech made by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and a comment made later by Foreign Minister, Professor G.L Peiris has put the Tamil Diaspora back in the spotlight. The President had said that he is prepared to engage with the…

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Extensive investment promotion activities in China for Hambantota Port’s Industrial Park

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Extensive investment promotion activities in China for Hambantota Port’s Industrial Park  A comprehensive promotional plan has been put in place by the Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) to position the Port and its industrial zone as a haven of opportunity for setting up light industries. Many potential investors have been reached and discussions are ongoing for direct investment into the zone. HIPG’s expert Port Investment team has been stationed in China for about a year, to inform and educate potential investors about new opportunities in Sri Lanka.  “We have approached…

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Teachers, principals vow to continue TU action

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Teachers, principals vow to continue TU action Even though the Teachers’ and Principals’ Trade Union Alliance has temporarily withdrawn from trade union action, trade unions yesterday (25) staged islandwide protests from 2:00 p.m. after school hours. Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) General Secretary Joseph Stalin said they will stage protests, awareness campaigns, etc., on 25, 26 and 27 October at 300 different locations islandwide.  Meanwhile, protesters who attempted to get into the North Western Province Governor’s Office and meet Governor Raja Collure were turned away. “We want to show our objections…

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